Infant&#39;s folding utility structure



Nov. 6, 1956 G. E. FROELIGH 2,769,183

INFANT'S FOLDING UTILITY STRUCTURE Filed May 18, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. E. FROELICH INFANT'S FOLDING UTILITY STRUCTURE Nov. 6, 1956 4 sheets-sheet 5 Filed May 18, 1953 Biz/010602 $507390 (5.

United States Patent INFANTS FOLDING UTILITY STRUCTURE George E. Froelich, Two Rivers, Wis., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Henry J. Landry, Ashburnham, Mass.

Application May 18, 1953, Serial No. 355,673

10 Claims. (Cl. -99) This invention relates to a folding utility structure for infants.

In one aspect the invention uniquely provides a fold-- ing play-yard that permits ready collapse thereof when desired, without removal of the floor pad therefrom, thus saving time and labor for the parent.

Another important feature of the invention is that it provides a structure which may be partially folded to furnish either a play-yard of reduced size, or a-crib, as :may be desired, thus economizing space indoors and minimizing the 'need for extra furniture. Also being able to move same through the door when half open.

Furthermore, the structure may be-completely folded when not in use so that it may be stored in a relatively small space with the pad 'orrnattress still therein.

These and other objects and advantages are obtained with a structure which'is simple in operation and sturdy inconstruction and that may be manufactured in quantity production at a minimum of cost.

The invention will be readily understood from the following'description,taken together'with the accompanying drawings, of an illustrative embodiment thereof, and in which drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a play-yard following the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the play-yard of Fig. 1 fully folded;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the play-yard of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a fully folded plan view;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of-the play-yard in half or partially folded position;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the play-yard as shown in Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view showing operative-parts of the play-yard involved in the folding thereof;

Figure 8 is :an enlarged partial cross-section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6, showing one floor section raised for partial folding;

Figure 9'is across-sectional view-on the scale'of Fig. 8 and somewhat similar thereto but taken at the other side of the play-yard and being a section on the line 99 of Fig. 3, but showing the other floor section raised for partial folding;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line :10-'10 of Fig. 9 but showing the foot pedal actuated to :raise both floor sections;

Figure 11 is a plan viewof parts shown in Fig. 10 and takenon the line '11-'11 of Fig. 10, and with both floor sections raised;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10 but showing the footpedal in position for full use of the play-yard and both 'floor sections horizontal;

Figure 13 is aplan view of parts shown in Fig. 12 and being 'a section'taken on the line 1313 ofFig. 12;

Figure .14 is an enlarged fragmentary viewtshcwing an articulated connection here employed;

2,769,183 Patented Nov. 16, 11956 Figure 15 is a view showing a modified form of booster spring;

Figure 16 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 12, showing a modified form of pedal and associated parts, and being a section taken on the line 1616 of Fig. 17;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary plan view somewhat similar to Fig. 13, showing the modifications of Fig. 16;

Figure 18 is a section taken on the line 18-18 of Fig. 16; and

Figure 19 is a view of parts shown in Fig. 18 in a fold ing position of the parts.

Referring in ,detail to the illustrative construction shown in the drawings, the play-yard here shown for purposes of exemplification of the invention includes two end members 11 and 12 each of which includes a corner post 11:: and 11b, and 12a and 12b, respectively, together with horizontal upper and lower connecting rails, only one of which, the upper one, for each end is here shown, as and respectively. It will be understood that between the rectangular frames thus provided for each end may be the usual spaced apart rods forming a pen-like wall, as at A for the sides later described.

In accordance withthe presentinvention, medially between the ends 11 and .12 is a horizontal center beam 13 supported by center posts 14 and 15 at each end thereof. The posts 14 and 15 maybe each provided at their lower ends with casters 16, as arealso each of the end posts 11a 11b, 12a and 12b.

Truss bars 13a at each end of the horizontal center beam 13 reinforce its connection withthe center posts 14 and 15 to maintain a rigid center support structure 14" 13-45. The center support structure, in accordance with the present invention, :provided by the horizontal center beam 13 and center posts 14 and 15, is equally spaced from the ends 11 and 12 respectively by collapsible side parts 17 and 18 extending from the center posts 14 and 15 respectively toward the'end 11, and 19and 20 extending from the center posts 14 and 15 respectively toward the end 12.

Each of the collapsible side parts '17, 18, 19 and 20 is formed by hinged sections 21 and 22 comprising horizontal upper rail arms 21a and lower rail arms 21b for the hinged section 21, and 22a and 22b for the hinged section 22. Inwardly folding hinges 23 connect the upper rail arms 21a and 22a and similar hinges 24 connect the lower rail arms 21b and 22b. The upper and lower rail arms making up the folding sides 21 and 22 respectively are connected together by the usual vertical spaced apart rods 25 which again form a pen-like wall construction A for the sides, similar'to that for the ends 11 and 12.

The side rail arms 21a are articulated with the end posts 11a and 11b and 12a and 12b by screw hooks '26 screwed into the end posts adjacent their upper ends and having an upturnedtermination 2'7 which fits loosely into a bored hole inthe under face of the side rail arm 21m. The lower side rail arms 21b rest on eye-screws 27a carried by eachof the end posts 11a, 11b, 12a and 12b respectively andthrough the eyes of which headed screws 28 pass loosely and are screwed into the under edges of the side rail arms 21b, as best seen in Fig. 14. This arrangement affects articulationsoftheends and side rail arms 21a and 21b while holding the upper side rail arms 21a on the pivot hooks 2.6.

The side rail.arms.22a and 22b for the complementary hinged sections 22 of each of the-folding sides 17, 13, 19 and 20 respectively are similarly articulated with the center .posts .14 and 15 respectively.

By the construction thus far described and disregarding for the moment thefloor construction for the playyard, it will be seen-that .each of the end members 11 and 12 is desirably movable toward the center board or beam' 13 by folding of the sides 17 and 18 for the end 11, and 19 and 20 for the end 12, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, these figures showing both ends moved toward the center board into the fully folded position of the play-yard with the sides collapsed and the whole occupying a minimum of space. When so arranged the ends may be latched to the center support structure by the swinging latch bars 29 carried on each of the center posts 14 and 15 as at 29a and having hook terminations 30 which hook over headed studs 31 on each of the end posts 11a and 11!) respectively, and other similar swinging bars 32 swiveled at 32a on the end posts 14 and 15 having hooked ends 33 which may be hooked over headed studs 34 on each of the end posts 12a and 12b respectively.

Turning now to the floor construction contemplated by the present invention, in accordance herewith, the horizontal center beam 13, as best seen in Fig. 3 and succeeding figures, has hinged thereto along each upper longitudinal edge thereof a floor section 35 and 36, which may advantageously be ply-board panels of a size to occupy the floor area between the center board and each of the ends 11 and 12 bounded by its respective side parts. The floor sections 35 and 36 may thus, in one position, lie planar hinged along their adjacent edges. The upper longitudinal edges of the center board 13 are desirably rabbeted as at 37 to receive hinge knuckles 38 which have a common center plate 39 for both of the knuckles 38, secured as by screws 38a to the center board 13. Hinge plates 40 secured as by screws 40a to the floor sections 35 and 36 respectively have hinge knuckles 41 intercalated and registering with the knuckles 38 to jointly receive a hinge pin 41a therethrough. To provide a spring hinge, a torsion coil spring 42 is carried on the hinge pin 41a between the knuckles 41 and operatively extending at one end against the center board 13 as at 42a and at its other end as at 42b against the underface of the adjacent floor section so as to urge the floor sections 35 and 36 upwardly. It is to be understood that the springs 42 will not themselves cause upward movement of the floor sections.

When it is desired to fold the play-yard fully, a pedal is desirably provided as here shown at 43 in the form of a stirrup-like bar having its bight end 44 extending outwardly of the play-yard and two free ends or pedal levers straddling one of the center posts, as in this instance the center post 15, to which it may be pivoted as by pivot pin 45. The pedal 43, as will be seen, is pivoted below the side members 22b of the folding sides and its inner ends underlie the floor sections 35 and 36 of the play-yard, one free end 46 of the pedal for each fioor section. The pedal free ends 46 are desirably angled upwardly even when the floor boards are in the horizontal position. Where the free ends 46 contact the fioor sections, the latter are desirably faced with metallic wear plates 47 secured to the floor boards as by screws 47a against which plates the pedal levers bear frictionally in operation of the pedal.

When the outer end of the pedal 44 is pressed downwardly upon by the foot of the user, the play-yard at this time being open as in Figs. 1 and 3, the floor sections 35 and 36 are moved upwardly as best seen in Fig. 7, aided by the booster action of the spring hinges connecting the floor sections to the center board 13. At the same time, by means here provided, a folding or collapsing movement of the sides 17, 18, 19 and 20 is initiated. This is accomplished in the present instance by a flexible connection such as short lengths of wire cables 48, one of which is connected, adjacent each end of the center board 13, between the adjacent floor board and each of the side parts 22b respectively as at 48a to the floor section and 48b to the folding side part. Thus, when a floor board is raised either by the pedal or manually, the cables 48 pull the adjacent folding side parts inwardly to initiate folding action of the sides at the end adjoining the floor section that is raised.

When the outer end of the pedal 44 is raised (Fig. 12), to depress the pedal levers 46, lowering of the floor sections 35 and 36 is permitted, and movement outwardly of the foldable side parts to the fully unfolded position of the structure, the floor sections then assuming a horizontal position and resting at their outer edges adjacent the ends 11 and 12 respectively on eye-screw heads 49 extending inwardly from the lower horizontal rails of the end members and disposed with their eyes flat in a horizontal plane to support the outer edges of the floor sections.

As seen in Fig. 15, instead of the spring hinges 38, the hinges may be plain hinges and a separate booster spring 50 interposed between the center board 13 and each of the fioor sections 35 and 36 respectively. The booster spring 50 may be of the torsion coil type having one end 51 turned to underlie the center board 13 and another end or long spring arm 50a underlying the adjacent floor section as at 52 where it may bear against a wear plate 5%. The spring arm 50a, like the spring hinges 42 tend to urge the floor sections upwardly but are not sufficiently powerful to lift the floor sections.

On the floor sections 35 and 36 may be disposed a padding or other mattress-like covering indicated diagrammatically at 53 (Figs. 7 and 9).

Operation of the play-yard of the present invention and a description of its enhanced function and utility is as follows:

When the housewife or other user desires to provide a restricted and protected play area for the infant child, either inside the house or outside the house, the device of the present invention, received by the user from the manufacturer say in the compacted condition of Figs. 2 and 4, is opened up by unlatching the swinging latches 29 and 32 from the respective ends 11 and 12. Thereupon, the outer end of the pedal 44 being raised, the play-yard may be extended to fully open position as in Figs. 1 and 3 and the floor sections 35 and 36 dropped from their position shown in Fig. 11 to their horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and in more detail in Figs. 12 and 13. Thereupon the pad 53, which may advantageously be a single continuous pad for the entire area of the play-yard, may be disposed on the floor sections 35 and 36 jointly, providing a padded floor for the comfort and safety of the infant and covering the center board 13. So long as the floor sections 35 and 36 are both left horizontal the play-yard cannot be folded either wholly or partially.

If it be desired to use the device of the present invention as a crib, thus avoiding the need for two separate articles of furniture, this may be done by folding one side of the play-yard as best seen in Figs. 5 and 6. When thus used as a crib, the floor section 35 will take a standard small size crib mattress (not shown). The latter if desired may be placed on top of the pad 53. Such partial folding also provides a play-yard of reduced area.

Either side of the play-yard may be partially folded. As here shown, the floor section 35 may be manually raised to the vertical position as in Fig. 9, or the floor section 36 may be raised to the vertical position as in Figs. 5, 6 and 8, leaving the other floor section 35 horizontal. The parts may be locked in this partially folded position to form a crib, as by the latch 32. A distinct advantage of the present invention is that in so raising one of the floor sections, or both of them for that matter, the pad 53 does not need to be removed. In this position of reduced area, as in Figs. 5 and 6, the device, if it has been used outdoors as a play-yard may also be carried into the house through a doorway of conventional size without completely folding the playyard. This makes it unnecessary to remove play things such as toys, dolls and the like from the play-yard unless desired.

When it is desired to put the article away and not use enemas the outer endof the pedal- 1 i, thus raising both ifloor sections 35 and 36 :toward the vertical position and at the same time throug'h theconneeti'n'gwires48 initiating folding of both sidepartsof the play-yard. Here again it is not necessary to remove the pad 53but this 'is desirably folded upwardly -with the fioor sections and may be left in the space between the floor sections, thus providing spacefor the storage of the pad. Gompl'etion ofthe fold- :ing may berreadily done manually andthe device'as fully folded maybe locked in that positionby securing both of the latches 29'and 32 as in Fig. 2. I

For example, as seen in Figs. 16 --to 19, the pedal 54, similar :impurpose to the pedal 43, may have inner free ends orelever arms that are of reverse'b'end'shape as shown, having one portion 55 and a bent back termin'al portion 56. The floor section wear, plate 57 has'a beveledrib 58 that cooperates with the lever ,arm,-.55- 56. The center board 59 is recessed asat 60 .toreceive .the portion 55 of the pedal lever arm whichis olfs'et'toward the hinges 61 of the iioortsectionblas at 63.

In this form the pedal 54 is pivoted on the center post 64 on the screws 65 which serve also to hinge the side rails 66 to the center post. In this instance the side rail 66 is slotted as at 67, to receive the head of the eye-screw 65, through which passes the bolt 68 on which the eyescrew pivots.

Instead of the flexible members 48 of the previous views, to initiate folding action of the sides, the modification of Figs. 16-19 may include striker wings 69 on the pedal 54 which are rigid with the pedal and extend laterally therefrom to strike pins 70 depending from the adjacent underfaces of the side rails 66.

So constructed and arranged, when the play-yard is in the open position of either Figs. 1 or 3, and the pedal 54 is pressed upon, the floor sections 62 will be folded upwardly toward each other by this action of the lever arms of the pedal in cooperation with the wear plate ribs 58, the latter first riding on the bent back terminations 56 of the pedal and finally on the portions 55 of the latter. At the same time, the striker wings 69 will initiate closing or folding of the play-yard sides.

The invention is not intended to be limited to details of construction shown for purposes of exemplification. Furthermore it may not be essential at all times to use all features of the invention conjointly since various combinations or sub-combinations may be advantageously employed. Such changes may be made as fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the invention.

What is here claimed is:

1. In an infants folding utility structure of the class described embodying two end members and corner posts at each end of each end member, in combination, a center beam between and parallel with the end members, a center post fixed to and at each end of the center beam, collapsible side parts between said center posts and each of said end members respectively, a floor section between said center beam and each of said end members hinged to said center beam, whereby said floor sections may be folded upwardly toward each other between the end members when the end members are brought toward each other upon collapse of the side parts, and a foot pedal pivoted on one of said center posts and having a lever arm under each of said floor sections whereby when the pedal is pressed downwardly the fioor sections are pivoted upwardly about the center beam, all of said posts extending below the floor sections to support the structure.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the pedal is of stir rup formation straddling the center post and having its bight extending outwardly therefrom.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein there is a spring associated with the pivotal mounting of each floor section and urging the floor section upwardly.

4. In an infants folding utility structure of the class described embodying two end members, a center beam bt-stweenand-parallel with the end members, and collapsible side parts-between saidcenter'beam and'each of said end-members, in combination, a-fioorsectionbetween said center beam and each of said end members, support means for hinging the floor sections to the center beam, a pedal pivoted on the support means, interengagingmeans on the pedal andfloor sections respectively for folding the floor sections upwardly about axes lying along thecenter beam, and striker wings carried by the pedal for initiating collapse-of the side parts, the'latter carrying means arranged to be abu-tted by said wings therefor.

5. .In an infants folding utility structure of the class describ'ed'e'mbodying two end members, a'center support betweenand parallel with-the end members, and collapsible side parts between said center support and each of said vend members, in combination, a floor section between said center support and each of said end members hinged to said-center support, and a'pedal pivoted on-one end "of *saiidcen'ter support, the pedal having free inner lever arms of return'bend formation, and the floor sections carrying 'wear plates each wear plate having a rib for engagement with one of said return bend formations of the pedal to effect upward movement of the floor sections for folding of the structure on actuation of the pedal.

6. In an infants folding utility structure of the class described embodying two end members and corner posts at each end of each end member, in combination, a center beam between and parallel with the end members, a center post fixed to and at each end of the center beam, collapsible side parts between said center beam and at least one of said end members, a floor section between said center beam and each of said end members, at least one of said floor sections being hinged to said center beam whereby it may be folded upwardly between the end members when the end members are brought toward each other upon collapse of the collapsible side par-ts,'

and a foot pedal pivoted on one of said center posts and having a lever arm under said hinged floor section whereby when the pedal is depressed the hinged floor section is pivoted upwardly about the center beam, all of the posts extending below the floor sections to support the structure.

7. In an infants folding utility structure of the class described embodying two end members and corner posts at each end of each end member, in combination, a center beam between and parallel with the end members, a center post fixed to and at each end of the center beam, collapsible side parts between each said center post and each of said end members respectively, a floor section between said center beam and each of said end members, said floor sections being hinged to said center beam whereby said floor sections may be folded upwardly to ward each other between the end members when the end members are brought toward each other upon collapse of the side parts, and unitary means for simultaneously folding both floor sections upwarly about axes lying along the center beam, all of said posts extending below the floor sections to support the structure.

8. In an infants folding utility structure of the class described embodying two end members and corner posts at each end of each end member, in combination, a center beam between and parallel with the end members, a center post fixed to and at each end of the center beam, collapsible side parts between each said center post and each of said end members, a floor section between said center beam and each of said end members, said floor sections being hinged to said center beam whereby they may be folded upwardly between the end members when the end members are brought toward each other upon collapse of the collapsible side parts, means initiating collapse of the adjacent side parts upon upward folding of the floor section, and unitary means for simultaneously folding both floor sections upwardly about axes lying along the center beam, all of the posts extending below the floor sections to support the structure.

9. In an infants folding utility structure of the class described embodying two end members, a center support between and parallel with the end members, and collapsible side parts between said center support and each of said end members, in combination, a floor section between said center support and each of said end members hinged to said center support, whereby the said end members may be brought toward each other and toward the center support upon collapse of the side parts, and said floor sections may be folded upwardly toward each other 1 between the end members, and a foot pedal pivoted on one end of said center support and having a lever arm under each of said floor sections whereby when the pedal is depressed the floor sections are pivoted upwardly on the center support into vertical planes parallel with each other and with the end members.

10. In a play-yard having multiple folding floor parts, means for folding said floor parts including a manually operated treadle, said treadle comprising a generally U- shaped member pivoted to a portion of the play-yard and including a pair of arms each extending under a respective folding floor part, terminal portions of said arms engaging the floor parts and raising the same as the treadle is depressed, each treadle arm engaging a separate floor part and being movable with respect thereto, and an inwardly projecting portion on each of said arms, said portions engaging and holding the floor parts in folded position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 134,111 Thorson Dec. 17, 1872 586,333 Dornan July 13, 1897 762,729 Lee June 14, 1904 885,570 Bergquist Apr. 21, 1908 1,270,358 Zaremba June 25, 1918 1,440,943 Szabo Jan. 2, 1923 2,489,188 Landry Nov. 22, 1949 2,573,526 White Oct. 30, 1951 2,629,110 Fournier Feb. 24, 1953 2,650,375 Serrell Sept. 1, 1953 2,733,453 Cifarelli Feb. 7, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden Mar. 20, 1902 

